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janvier 4, 2023

What Does the Plasma Donation Process Involve?

Donating plasma is the only way to provide immunocompromised patients with the life-sustaining plasma protein therapies they need to live well-rounded lives. 

Before we dive into how plasma provides you with ample me-time to relax and recharge, it’s important to discuss the intricacies of the plasma donation process. 

Plasma donation is different from blood donation, even though it involves a similar process of blood extraction. Plasma is The key difference is that your blood is actually returned to you through a process known as plasmapheresis. 

What is Plasmapheresis?

A plasmapheresis machine safely collects plasma, the straw-coloured portion of your blood containing vital proteins and vitamins. The device carefully returns your blood back into your body, saving the plasma to be turned into plasma protein therapies. 

Plasma is converted into plasma protein therapies between 7-12 months after it’s extracted. During this time, the plasma is frozen to ensure that it remains fresh and usable. Through a process known as plasma fractionation, it’s converted into therapies that patients who lack proteins in their own plasma rely on to live healthy lives.

What is Plasma Used For? 

Plasma is used to treat patients with a variety of illnesses, conditions and ailments. From trauma victims to patients with immune deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, bleeding disorders and more, plasma is liquid gold that is often turned into life-sustaining pharmaceutical products, but can also be used for its clotting properties in emergency medical situations.

How Does Plasma Donation Give You Me-Time? 

Now that we’ve discussed how plasma is used to treat people in need and why, it’s time to highlight not only why you should donate, but why donating plasma is actually good for you!

Plasmapheresis takes approximately 50 minutes, giving you almost an hour to completely relax and unwind. As we mentioned earlier, plasmapheresis involves extracting plasma using a plasmapheresis machine, meaning that you’re connected to the machine for the entirety of the process. 

The process provides you with a rare opportunity to truly relax and unwind – there is nothing for you to do at this time but see the donation process through, meaning that you have 50 minutes of uninterrupted me-time.

We suggest bringing a book, listening to your favourite music, an audiobook, a podcast or watching a comfort TV show! The time can be as relaxing and restorative as you make it. 

Plus, not only do you get some well-earned me-time during the plasma donation process, the act of donating plasma is good for your health.

Studies show that acts of kindness – like doing good for others – can boost your happiness, make you feel connected to a social community and even help you to feel more positively about the world around you.

Why Should You Donate Over the Colder Months?

In winter, we know that it can be tempting to stay indoors and not leave your house when the weather turns cold! 

But patients who require plasma protein therapies to live healthy, well-rounded lives rely on donors year round. It takes 1,000 donors to supply enough plasma for one patient with haemophilia. This holiday season, consider the benefits that giving back offer you and the critical need of those who rely on your donations. Book an appointment at a centre near you today!

Blog

avril 21, 2021

29.04.2021

As of Saturday, May 1st, our Saskatoon plasma collection centre will be reopening. Two inspections were performed at our centre on April 22nd and April 29th, and the Saskatoon Health Authority’s Medical Officer of Health has deemed our facility to be safe. 

Precautionary Actions and Safety Measures

On top of our regular cleaning process, additional cleaning of our entire facility was performed on April 23rd. All CPR staff were tested for COVID-19 at least once (some were tested twice) and no new cases have been identified. As an added precaution, we decided to wait a few additional days to reopen our centre so that by the time our centre reopens there will be over 14 days since the last positive case at our centre was identified. The last positive case at our Saskatoon centre occurred on April 16th.

To ensure donor and staff safety while continuing to help create important life-saving therapies for patients who require them, we’ve also decided to introduce new measures. Donors will undergo additional screenings at the entrance of our Saskatoon centre, we’ve switched over to an electronic sign-in process for donors, and we’ve invested in upgraded PPE for our staff. 

How Donor Compensation and Status Will Be Impacted

Since our Saskatoon centre has been closed for seven days, many donors will lose their status and fall back to the Orange level. This is something that will automatically be done by our computerized system. We don’t want our donors to miss out on well-deserved compensation, so from Saturday, May 1st to Saturday, June 5th, all donors will receive $60 for their second donation of the week. This is the same amount of compensation you’d receive as a Gold level donor ($90 for the week for five weeks). During this time, donors will have to build back their status. Our regular compensation scheme will resume during the week of June 6th. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time and hope to see you at our Saskatoon centre soon. 

23.04.2021

Temporary Closure of Saskatoon Center

During the week of April 12, COVID-19 was detected in individuals who were present in our Saskatoon facility on Quebec Avenue. We have been in contact with the Saskatchewan Health Authorities (SHA) and out of an abundance of caution the plasma collection centre will be closed for the rest of this week or until the Medical Officer of Health ensures the health and safety of our staff and donors. During this period all our staff members will be tested for COVID-19. Since the pandemic began, this is the first occurrence of this nature in any of our facilities. We will reopen when we are satisfied that it is safe to do so. In the meantime, we would like to reassure all of our donors who had appointments scheduled during this shut-down, that their status and bonuses will not be impacted by these cancelled appointments. We will also ensure that our staff do not suffer financially during this period. Plasma saves lives. The patients who need our products to survive are some of the most vulnerable in the world. We will work as hard as we can to reopen so that we can continue this important work together. Additional updates will be provided via email and on our website as more information becomes available. Thank you.

21.04.2021

On April 21 the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) notified Canadian Plasma Resources that they have identified three (3) cases of positive COVID-19 among our employees in the past week. The individuals last worked at CPR’s Saskatoon location on April 10, 13 and 16 respectively. By definition when two or more individuals with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 (for whom the Medical Health Officer has determined that transmission likely occurred within a common non-household setting) an outbreak exists.
Our staff follow CPR’s Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan which utilizes risk assessment published by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for the management of close contacts of confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 occurring in Canadian Plasma Resources facilities. Following COVID-19 Infection Prevention Guidelines in our plan ensures that risk of contacts at CPR level will be assessed at either “Medium” or “low” levels which is essential for continuity of our operation and minimizing risks to staff and donors.  

13.01.2021

Over the past months, CPR has been continually reviewing Public Health guidelines in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have been making appropriate changes to our Centres as needed, and the safety of our staff and Donors remains our top priority.

In both our Saskatoon and Moncton Centres, approved face coverings or masks are mandatory. We ask that Donors wear their masks properly and keep them on the entire time they are in the Centres for the safety of our staff and other Donors.

Our Centre in Moncton operates with a New Brunswick COVID-19 Operational Plan for Workplaces in effect. This written plan includes relevant safety and hygiene procedures, physical distancing requirements, and daily active screening for staff among other precautionary protocols.

CPR continues to monitor Public Health for the most up-to-date recommendations in order to provide the safest environment possible for everyone who visits our Centres.

01.09.2020

Over the course of the pandemic, we’ve continually revised our policies to reflect the current status of the virus in Saskatchewan and New Brunswick. As of Tuesday, September 1st, the following policies went into effect:

  1. It is no longer necessary for donors to wear gloves when they visit our centres. We request that donors still use hand sanitizer when they enter our plasma donation centres. 
  2. Saskatoon donors are STRONGLY recommended to use a face covering when they are in our centre. Wearing masks is still mandatory for plasma donors at our Moncton location. 
  3. We ask that donors refrain from walking around, speaking with other donors, and talking on their phones when they are in our centres as an added safety measure.
07.06.2020

Dear Plasma Donors in Moncton,
As per government order, New Brunswickers must wear a face covering to enter buildings open to the general public, starting Tuesday June 9th.
Please note as result it will be mandatory for all donors to wear a face covering in the CPR facilities.

19.04.2020

Dear Valued Donors,

Effective today, CPR updated the eligibility criteria for plasma donors as follows: 

  • If you have been diagnosed with or suspected of having COVID-19, you will not able to donate for 28 days after complete resolution of symptoms
  • If you have been in close contact with someone who has been ill with this virus, you will not be able to donate for 28 days after your last contact.
  • If you have travelled internationally or inter-provincially within Canada, you will not be able to donate for 28 days after your return.
  • If you have participated in a social or recreational gathering of more than 50 people or more, you will not be able to donate for 28 days after the gathering date.
05.04.2020

Dear Valued Plasma Donors,

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.  Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.

Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators.  Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

Watch this video to learn how to make a homemade mask: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4&feature=youtu.be

29.03.2020
  • We are asking donors & staff who have travelled internationally to any country, or inter-provincially within Canada to avoid the plasma donation centres for 14 days after their return. This restriction applies only to those who travelled, not to other household members.
  • ONLY prospective donors will be allowed in the center. No Children, family members or friends.
  • Unfortunately, we will not be able to offer lockers to donors at this time. We kindly ask donors to keep this in mind. 
  • Remove all communal objects such as magazines, snacks and energy bars throughout the center. Snacks and Bars will be with the reception staff (like juice boxes) and can be handed to donors upon request 
23.03.2020
  • Asking staff to stay home if they do not feel well.
  • Asking staff who have travelled internationally to any country, to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their return. This restriction applies only to those who travelled, not to other household members.
  • NEW: Asking staff not to participate in any social or recreational gathering of more than 10 people or more.
  • Asking staff to wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds and use approved hand sanitizer.
  • Asking staff to follow proper cough and sneeze etiquette (cough or sneeze into upper sleeve or tissue, not the hands).
  • Asking staff to avoid close contact with people who are sick outside of the centre.
  • NEW: Asking staff to wear protective gloves in all areas and all times at work.
  • NEW: Asking staff in the donation room and screening area to wear masks and/or protective face shields while interacting with donors.  
  • Asking staff to refrain from touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed/unsanitized hands.
  • Asking staff not to be shaking hands or hugging/kissing when meeting someone.
  • Asking staff to strengthen cleaning and sanitizing practices. In addition to our already stringent daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures, staff have increased the frequency of cleaning in the waiting area, screening rooms and donation rooms. Staff have always disinfected equipment with antimicrobial solutions that match or exceed industry requirements. Staff are regularly sanitizing the chairs between donations to ensure the health and safety of all donors.
  • Asking staff to implement additional cleaning protocols for the reception and waiting areas as well as other frequently touched areas such as doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, faucets, sinks, and tabletops.
  • Asking staff to follow more restricted interactions with donors going forward. For example, our staff will try to avoid touching donor ID cards. If they have to touch donor ID cards, they will disinfect them.
  • NEW: Asking staff to practice social distancing at work and avoid all non-essential interactions with other staff.

For Donors

  • Asking donors who have traveled internationally to any country, to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their return. This restriction applies only to those who traveled, not to other household members.
  • NEW: Asking donors who have been in close contact (example: living with) with someone who has been ill with the COVID-19 to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their contact.
  • NEW: Asking donors who have participated in any social or recreational gathering of more than 50 people or more to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their participation.
  • Asking donors who have flu symptoms such as cough and fever, to book their appointment 7 days after cessation of symptoms.
  • Asking donors to make an appointment online or by phone before arriving at our centre.
  • If wait times do happen to arise, donors might be asked to wait in their vehicles and will be called in for their appointment as an extra safety precaution.
  • Asking all donors to use our hand sanitizer stations conveniently placed at the entrance. We urge all visitors to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds regularly, as the CDC recommends.
  • NEW: Asking donors to wear protective gloves provided to them at reception while they are in the centre.
  • Restriction on the total number of people who can be in each enclosed area at the plasma centre (Moncton= No more than 10 people, Saskatoon= No more than 25 people)
  • Asking donors to practice social distancing during their visit and Rearranging the operating donation beds that allows donors to be more than 2 meters away from each other in the donation room.      
  • NEW: Asking donors to keep their face away (look the opposite side) when our phlebotomists are doing venipuncture.
  • Reducing ratio of donors to staff so the plasma donation procedure will be smoother and the wait time in the centre will be reduced.
  • Measure the temperature of every donor as part of the routine donor screening process.
  • Assessing every donor for any changes in their health since their last donation.
  • NEW: Asking donors to report a subsequent diagnosis of COVID-19 as soon as possible to the Canadian Plasma Resources.

For Staff

  • Asking staff to stay home if they do not feel well.
  • Asking staff who have travelled internationally to any country, to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their return. This restriction applies only to those who travelled, not to other household members.
  • NEW: Asking staff not to participate in any social or recreational gathering of more than 10 people or more.
  • Asking staff to wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds and use approved hand sanitizer.
  • Asking staff to follow proper cough and sneeze etiquette (cough or sneeze into upper sleeve or tissue, not the hands).
  • Asking staff to avoid close contact with people who are sick outside of the centre.
  • NEW: Asking staff to wear protective gloves in all areas and all times at work.
  • NEW: Asking staff in the donation room and screening area to wear masks and/or protective face shields while interacting with donors.  
  • Asking staff to refrain from touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed/unsanitized hands.
  • Asking staff not to be shaking hands or hugging/kissing when meeting someone.
  • Asking staff to strengthen cleaning and sanitizing practices. In addition to our already stringent daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures, staff have increased the frequency of cleaning in the waiting area, screening rooms and donation rooms. Staff have always disinfected equipment with antimicrobial solutions that match or exceed industry requirements. Staff are regularly sanitizing the chairs between donations to ensure the health and safety of all donors.
  • Asking staff to implement additional cleaning protocols for the reception and waiting areas as well as other frequently touched areas such as doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, faucets, sinks, and tabletops.
  • Asking staff to follow more restricted interactions with donors going forward. For example, our staff will try to avoid touching donor ID cards. If they have to touch donor ID cards, they will disinfect them.
  • NEW: Asking staff to practice social distancing at work and avoid all non-essential interactions with other staff.
21.03.2020

Dear Valued Blood Plasma Donors; 

The Saskatchewan government added new measures to the state of emergency and as a result we’ve decided to introduce a new rule at our Saskatoon centre. Effective immediately, a maximum of 25 people will be permitted in each enclosed area of our blood establishment in Saskatoon.

To make this change as smooth as possible and eliminate wait times, we ask that donors make an appointment online or by phone before arriving at our centre. If wait times do happen to arise while this rule is in place, donors will be asked to wait in their vehicles and will be called in for their appointment as an extra safety precaution.

We are continually looking at ways to support our donors, staff, the community as well as those who are in need of plasma-derived products and will keep you updated as things evolve.

20.03.2020

Dear Valued Donors,

As a result of the state of emergency that was announced by the Government of New Brunswick, we’ve decided to introduce a new rule at our Moncton centre. Going forward, a maximum of 10 people will be permitted in each enclosed area of our blood establishment in Moncton.

We’d like to thank all our donors for their patience and cooperation during this difficult time. The need for plasma never goes away for patients with rare and chronic conditions, and we are determined to continue to provide lifesaving therapies to them while also keeping our donors safe. 

To make this change as smooth as possible and eliminate wait times, we ask that donors make an appointment online or by phone before arriving at our centre. If wait times do happen to arise while this rule is in place, donors will be asked to wait in their vehicles and will be called in for their appointment as an extra safety precaution.

Canadian Plasma Resources is remaining open during the response to COVID-19 as we fall under the category of functioning critical infrastructure. Blood and plasma donation centres have a special responsibility to continue operations since people rely on these services to maintain their health. PM Trudeau outlined the importance of continuing to donate during the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday. As the only Health Canada Licensed Blood Establishment in the provinces of New Brunswick and Saskatchewan that remunerates donors for their time, we will be continuing to provide compensation during this time period. 

17.03.2020

Dear Valued Plasma Donor,

We know you may have questions and concerns regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our staff, donors, and community, Canadian Plasma Resources (CPR) will continue to monitor the situation closely through information shared by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other government and health agencies around the world in order to keep everyone safe and well informed. Should the agency’s recommendations change we will act immediately to keep donors safe.

Health care and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors are considered part of a nation’s critical infrastructure. Your plasma donation is essential to patients that rely on plasma-derived therapies. As such, we have decided to keep our CPR centres open for continued donations so we can continue to help deliver these life-saving therapies. We urge all healthy eligible donors to book and keep appointments. The need for plasma is constant. 

We have put measures in place to help ensure our donation centres remain islands of wellness within Canada’s health system. They are NOT places where sick people gather.

To give you peace of mind, we want to remind you that CPR has set the highest standard for cleanliness in the industry. Our staff is trained on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), proper lab hygiene, and Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG). We have also implemented some other precautionary measurements in an effort to follow the necessary social distancing guidelines at our plasma centres:

  • We’ve rearranged the operating donation beds to have one non-operating bed in between. Now donors will be more than 6 feet away as per recommendations.
  • We’ve limited the number of individuals in the donor-specific areas of the building to below 50 persons throughout the day.
  • We will have more restricted interactions with donors going forward. For example, our staff will try to avoid touching donor ID cards. If they have to touch donor ID cards, they will disinfect them. Additional cleaning protocols have also been implemented for the reception and waiting areas as well as other high-touch areas such as doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, faucets, sinks, and tabletops.
  • We’ve reduced the ratio of donors to staff so the plasma donation procedure will be smoother and the wait time in the centre will be reduced.

Additionally, the CPR staff will be following the procedures noted below:

  • They will measure the temperature of every donor as part of the routine donor screening process.
  • They will assess every donor for any changes in their health since their last donation.
  • Our team members will stay home if they do not feel well or if they travelled internationally.
  • Staff will wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds & use approved hand sanitizer.
  • Proper cough and sneeze etiquette (cough or sneeze into upper sleeve or tissue, not the hands) will be followed.
  • They will avoid close contact with people who are sick outside of the centre.
  • They will refrain from touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed/unsanitized hands.
  • Staff members will not be shaking hands or hugging/kissing when meeting someone.

If you have any questions about donating, please contact centre management. 

Every day, thousands of people with rare and chronic diseases rely on the therapies produced from the plasma we collect. Thank you in advance for your continued support and ongoing donations. Now more than ever, we need your donations!

13.03.2020

Dear Valued Plasma Donors,

We are writing to share our commitment to fighting COVID-19 and to assure all our stakeholders that we are following recommended safety protocols that have been provided by competent authorities including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure health and safety of our donors and employees.

Given the strict screening procedures in place for plasma donors and the established processes of virus inactivation and removal during the manufacturing of plasma-derived products, COVID-19 is not a concern for the safety of plasma protein therapies manufactured from source plasma.

We are confident that COVID-19 will not significantly impact operations at CPR and our generous donors. However, as a measure of abundant caution, we have set a detailed business continuity plan to mitigate any risks:

1.       As of Mar 14th Canadian Plasma Resources (CPR) is asking anyone who has travelled internationally to any country, to avoid plasma donation for 14 days after their return. This restriction applies only to those who travelled, not to other household members.

2.     CPR is requesting donors with flu symptoms such as cough and fever to stay at home for 7 days after cessation of symptoms.

3.       We have strengthened our cleaning and sanitizing practices and are strictly implementing the CDC’s guidelines. In addition to our already stringent daily cleaning and sanitizing procedures, we have increased the frequency of cleaning in our waiting area, screening rooms and donation rooms. We are and have always disinfected our equipment with antimicrobial solutions that match or exceed industry requirements. We are regularly sanitizing the chairs between donations to ensure health and safety of all donors.

4.       As an additional precaution, we encourage all donors to use our hand sanitizer stations conveniently placed throughout the centre. We urge all visitors to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds regularly, as the CDC recommends.

We are continuously monitoring this situation and if there are any changes requiring further communication, we will be sure to inform you. Thank you for being part of the CPR donor family. Wishing you all good health.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach us at info@giveplasma.ca

Resources

To receive the most recent information regarding COVID-19, check the following websites:

Centers for Disease Control Prevention:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Health Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals.html

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA):

https://www.pptaglobal.org/23-advocacy/access-to-care/1057-covid-19

https://www.pptaglobal.org/media-and-information/ppta-statements/1055-2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-and-plasma-protein-therapies

https://www.pptaglobal.org/media-and-information/ppta-statements/1059-a-note-to-plasma-donors-on-the-coronavirus

Blog

janvier 4, 2021

The new year is a great time to start a brand new habit. Whether you’re looking to give back to others or supplement your income in 2021, plasma donation is a fulfilling process that allows for the possibility of both of these things. 

Want to learn more about what plasma donation entails? In today’s blog, we’ll be uncovering the basics of plasma donation and how you can become a donor at Canadian Plasma Resources.

What Is Plasma?

Plasma is a yellowish liquid component of blood. It makes up more than half, about 55%, of your blood’s overall content. The main role of plasma is to carry nutrients, hormones, and proteins around the body.

What Is Plasma Used For?

Blood plasma contains important antibodies, clotting factors, and proteins that can be manufactured into life-saving treatments. Bleeding disorders and rare diseases that affect the immune system can be treated using plasma-derived therapies. Plasma is also commonly used to treat animal bites, burns, and pediatric HIV.

How Does the Plasma Donation Process Work?

The plasma donation process entails registering, screening, donating, and relaxing. Plasma donors are thoroughly screened and undergo regular health checks to ensure they are in good health and able to donate. Once eligibility has been established, plasma donors are intravenously connected to high-tech apheresis machines and undergo plasmapheresis.

Plasmapheresis is a method used to remove plasma from the body and separate it from other blood components that are subsequently returned to the bloodstream. This process takes roughly 50 minutes to complete. After donors have completed their plasma donation, they are encouraged to relax and enjoy refreshments.

Benefits of Donating Plasma

There are many benefits to donating plasma. Plasma donation is a generous act that can ultimately help save lives. It is a great way to contribute to the creation of life-saving therapies and the discovery of innovative new treatments. As a plasma donor at Canadian Plasma Resources, you also get the opportunity to earn up to $90/week for your donations!

How to Become a Plasma Donor At Canadian Plasma Resources

If you’re interested in becoming a plasma donor, visit the eligibility page on our website to find out if you meet the requirements needed to become a donor. If you think you’d be a good candidate, don’t hesitate to book an appointment at a centre near you. We’re always happy to take on new plasma donors!

Plasma donation is an incredible act that can change the lives of others for the better. With the new year upon us, now’s a good a time as ever to get involved in a good cause and start giving back!

Blog

janvier 4, 2021

The holiday season is all about the giving spirit. After everything we’ve gone through this past year, the importance of giving back has become more apparent than ever before. If you’re looking for a good cause to contribute to this holiday season, you should consider plasma donation!

Here are three reasons to donate plasma during the season of giving.

1. The Growing Demand for Plasma Donations

Blood plasma is used to treat several rare conditions, including Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDs) and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, just to name a few. The demand for this straw-coloured liquid portion of blood is only growing, and Canada is among the leading users of human plasma products in the world. Currently, we rely on paid plasma donations from the US to manufacture the majority of our nation’s plasma therapies.

By donating plasma at Canadian Plasma Resources, you can help pharmaceutical manufacturers meet the growing demand for plasma products. You’ll also have the opportunity to earn up to $400/month for your donations.

2. Contributing to Convalescent Plasma Therapies

Canada began rolling out Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine last week, which was a moment we’ve all been waiting for since this pandemic began. While the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine does signal the beginning of the end, we still have many challenging months ahead of us. Convalescent plasma, the term used for plasma that is collected from an individual who has recovered from a virus, will likely still play a role in helping patients affected by COVID-19.

Since May, Canadian Plasma Resources has been accepting convalescent plasma donations from COVID-19 survivors and testing all plasma donations for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Your plasma donations can help find a potential treatment for COVID-19.

3. Donating Plasma Is A Great Way to Give Back

Patients with immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases rely on the generosity of others to access the treatments they need. Remaining in good health is especially important for these patients during these uncertain times.

Canadian Plasma Resources is the largest producer of normal and specialty human source plasma for further manufacturing in Canada. When you donate plasma at our centres, you can rest assured that your donations will be making a big difference in the lives of immunocompromised patients.

Plasma donation truly encompasses the spirit of the holidays. To help patients in need during the holiday season and get compensated for your contribution, book an appointment at a Canadian Plasma Resources centre near you!

Blog

janvier 4, 2021

Donated plasma is used to create a variety of life-saving pharmaceutical products that treat patients with immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders, and other ailments. The wide range of uses for this yellowish liquid component of blood is the reason it is often referred to as “liquid gold”. 

In today’s blog, we’ll be unpacking the three main medications that are manufactured from the plasma collected at our centres. Keep reading to find out what they are!

Plasma Product #1: Human Albumin

Albumin is a protein made by the liver that circulates in human plasma. It helps keep fluid in your bloodstream and carries substances including hormones, vitamins, and enzymes throughout your body.

Medicinal albumin, which is composed of plasma proteins from human blood, helps increase the volume of blood plasma. It can also replenish levels of albumin. Medicinal albumin is mainly used to treat or prevent shock that is brought on by severe burns, serious injury, bleeding, or surgery. Other ailments that albumin is capable of treating include abdominal infections, dialysis, liver failure, pancreatitis, and respiratory distress.

Plasma Product #2: Intratect

This brand of immunoglobulin G-prepared treatments is more commonly known as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the most common antibody in blood and other bodily fluids. It plays a vital role in protecting the body against bacterial and viral infections. During the Intratect manufacturing process, the functional activity of IgG is maintained and high standards of purity and viral safety are adhered to.

As with other IVIg therapies, Intratect is administered intravenously by a doctor or nurse. It is used in patients who do not have a sufficient amount of antibodies. This includes patients who are born with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs) and those with secondary immunodeficiencies who suffer from severe and/or recurrent infections. Intratect can also be used to treat inflammatory disorders including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), Guillain-Barre syndrome, Kawasaki disease, primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN).

Plasma Product #3: Haemoctin

Haemoctin is a plasma-derived medicine that contains the coagulation factor VIII. Coagulation factors are a group of related proteins that help the body form blood clots after injury, therefore preventing further blood loss. Coagulation factor VIII, which is mostly made by cells in the liver, plays an integral part in the blood clotting process.

Patients with haemophilia, an inherited genetic disorder that is characterized by an impaired ability to form blood clots, have either a mutated version of coagulation factor VIII or reduced amounts of this essential protein. Haemoctin can be used to treat and prevent bleeding in patients with haemophilia A.

Human plasma is capable of incredible things, and these products are just a few of the treatments that are manufactured from CPR-collected plasma. To donate your plasma and contribute to the creation of life-changing plasma products, book your next appointment at Canadian Plasma Resources today!

Blog

janvier 4, 2021

The debate around paid plasma donations is a long-standing one that people on both sides of the argument feel very strongly about. Despite the fact that remunerating donors has been proven to be the only way to ensure a secure supply of plasma, there is still uncertainty about the safety and morality of this practice. With plasma products manufactured from convalescent plasma now being trialled to treat COVID-19, it’s never been more important to prevent supply shortages from happening.

Here are three reasons why paid plasma donations should be made legal across Canada.  

1. The Growing Demand for Plasma Donations

Blood plasma, the protein-rich yellow liquid component of blood, has long been used to manufacture a wide range of life-saving therapies. The number of illnesses that can be treated using blood plasma is only increasing and the demand for blood plasma is growing at a rate of 6-10% per year globally. This does not include the demand that has come about as researchers have begun to explore the possibility of convalescent plasma being a viable treatment for COVID-19.

We cannot rely on voluntary, non-remunerated plasma donations alone to meet this growing demand.  The only way to provide immunocompromised patients with the plasma-derived products they rely on is to pay plasma donors.

2. Ensuring A Secure and Sufficient Supply of Plasma

In Canada, we currently import 80% of the plasma therapies we create from the plasma of American donors. In fact, the United States, a nation that permits paid plasma donations,  is responsible for 70% of the global plasma supply. When grouped with other countries that allow plasma donors to be compensated, including Austria, Czechia, Germany, and Hungary, 90% of the total supply of plasma can be accounted for. Clearly, paid plasma donations work.

If we allowed plasma donors to be remunerated across Canada and repealed the Voluntary Blood Donations Act in provinces where it has been enacted, we wouldn’t have to rely so heavily on the plasma of paid American donors. We’ve all witnessed the supply chain issues that have come about as a result of COVID-19, and these same interruptions could happen to the global supply of plasma at any time. This scenario would spell out a matter of life or death for patients who rely on plasma-derived products.

As it stands now, the majority of Canadian plasma donors are not compensated.

3. Paid Plasma Donations Are Both Safe and Ethical

Time and time again, paid plasma donations have been proven to be just as safe as unpaid donations. Health Canada has laid out strict regulatory requirements that plasma collectors must abide by and they oversee the safe collection of plasma. All donors are required to undergo rigorous screenings to ensure tainted blood supplies never make their way to patients who are receiving these life-saving therapies.   

Paid plasma donations are also ethical, as they incentivize rather than coerce donors to give plasma. By paying plasma donors, you increase the range of options available to them. A mutually beneficial situation in which donors are paid for their time and effort and patients are able to receive the treatments they rely on is also created when donors are compensated.

As of late, there has been some good news on the paid plasma donation front in Canada. The Alberta legislature has officially repealed the Voluntary Blood Donations Act, which means Albertans can now receive remuneration for their plasma donations! As long time proponents of this practice, we’re thrilled to see some progress being made. 

If you’d like to help create life-saving therapies for immunocompromised patients and get compensated for your contribution, book an appointment at a Canadian Plasma Resources centre near you! 

Blog

janvier 4, 2021

Paid plasma donations are largely responsible for the creation of plasma therapies. In fact, compensated plasma accounts for 89% of all the world’s plasma that is used to manufacture plasma-derived products. It’s statistics like these that motivate us to continue to pave the way for paid plasma donations in Canada.

If you’re interested in learning how you can earn up to $4,680/year as a plasma donor at Canadian Plasma Resources, keep reading to find out!

Donate Plasma Consistently

With our donor compensation program, donors get rewarded with more compensation the more they donate! All donors who give plasma at Canadian Plasma Resources start at Orange level. At this level, donors earn $30 for their first donation of the week and $50 for their second donation of the week.

Donors who have given plasma twice per week for two consecutive weeks move on to Silver level. Silver level donors are eligible to receive $30 for their first donation of the week and $55 for their second donation of the week.

The highest level donors can reach is Gold level. Donors attain this status after they’ve given plasma twice per week for two more consecutive weeks (following the initial two consecutive weeks). These two weeks of consecutive donations do not need to occur back to back. Gold level donors are eligible to receive $30 for their first donation of the week and $60 for their second donation of the week!

Refer a Friend

Another great way to earn additional compensation is by referring a friend or family member to donate plasma! Donors who refer a friend or family member to donate plasma are eligible to receive a $25 bonus so long as the referee follows through on the donation. Here’s how the donor referral process works:

1. Send a text message, WhatsApp message, Facebook message, Instagram DM or Twitter DM to the person you’re referring.

2. Include your full name in the message

3. Have the referee show the message to our reception staff after they donate.

We’re also offering referees the opportunity to earn a one time $50 bonus if they start donating by November 29th!

Participate in Events

At Canadian Plasma Resources, we regularly hold events that give donors the opportunity to earn a monetary bonus if they meet certain donation criteria. To make sure you don’t miss out on opportunities to earn additional compensation, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and keep an eye out for our announcements!

We’ve seen firsthand just how beneficial paying plasma donors can be for both donors and patients alike. To contribute to a good cause and make money all the while, book your next plasma donation appointment!

Blog

janvier 4, 2021

Plasma donation is an incredible process that is responsible for the creation of several life-altering therapies. Millions of people around the world donate plasma every year, and the highly controlled, clinical environments where plasma donations take place are required to abide by strict regulatory requirements to keep donors safe. That being said, there are new safety concerns that have arisen for plasma donors since the arrival of COVID-19.

At Canadian Plasma Resources, we’ve continually revised our precautionary measures to reflect the current status of COVID-19. Without further ado, here’s how we’ve altered the plasma donation process at our centres to keep donors safe during this unprecedented time.

Step 1: Registering

The registration portion of the donation process is where we confirm the eligibility of new donors and perform preliminary health checks. For first-time plasma donors, the registration process typically takes 25 minutes, and during this time they:

·  Present valid identification

·  Complete a questionnaire

·  Review educational material

·  Review the consent form

·  Undergo preliminary blood pressure and temperature checks

This process gets easier and faster for return donors, who usually only spend 10 minutes in registration. To minimize contact between donors and staff and ensure safe physical distancing, we’ve put plexiglass barriers at our reception desks and asked donors not to enter our centres more than five minutes before their appointment time. We’ve also increased the frequency with which we clean donor folders and our staff now wear gloves at all times.

Step 2: Screening

To ensure donors are in good health and eligible to give plasma, all of our donors undergo a screening prior to donating. Similarly to the registration process, first-time donors spend approximately 25 minutes being screened while return donors spend roughly 10 minutes being screened. Donors undergo a physical examination, review registration information with a medical professional, participate in a question and answer session, and confirm consent when being screened.

All of our screening staff are required to wear masks during this stage of the plasma donation process. They also diligently clean all of the equipment in our screening rooms after every screening.

Step 3: Donating Plasma

Once a donor has been given the green light to donate, they are escorted to a donor bed, prepped for donation, and connected to an apheresis machine. All of the beds in our donation halls are spread apart so that donors can safely give plasma six feet away from one another. During the venipuncture procedure, where staff access a donor’s vein in order to subsequently extract plasma via plasmapheresis, donors are asked to breathe away from staff members to avoid close contact. We’ve also asked our donors to refrain from walking around, speaking with other donors, and talking on their phones when they are in our donation halls.

Donors are continuously monitored by staff during plasmapheresis to ensure everything is going smoothly. When they are finished with plasmapheresis, which usually takes 50 minutes to complete, the beds and apheresis machines that were used are thoroughly cleaned.

Step 4: Relaxing

The last part of the plasma donation process involves relaxing, enjoying snacks and refreshments in our waiting rooms, and scheduling your next appointment. To minimize contact, we’ve moved all snacks behind our reception desks. Donors now have to ask reception staff for snacks and refreshments.

All seating in our waiting rooms has been set up for physical distancing. We’ve added signage to split up our waiting rooms and minimize the amount of cross traffic. One side is now designated for donors who have just been registered while the other side is for donors who have just finished donating or are waiting to donate.

Keeping our donors and staff safe has always been our top priority at Canadian Plasma Resources, and we will continue to do everything in our power to make everyone feel comfortable. Giving plasma is more important now than ever before, and together we can help provide vulnerable patients with the treatments they need. Book your next appointment today! 

Blog

décembre 22, 2020

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare autoimmune disorder that targets the body’s nerves. It is the most common form of chronic autoimmune neuropathy, and it is one of many disorders that can be treated using plasma products. Keep reading to learn more about CIDP and how blood plasma is used to manage this condition.

Symptoms of CIDP

Symptoms of CIDP progress slowly and occur over the course of at least two months. Chief symptoms of CIDP can include:

  • Impaired motor function
  • Loss of balance and your ability to walk
  • Loss of sensation in your arms and legs
  • Loss of reflexes
  • Tingling sensations or in your arms and legs
  • The gradual weakening of your arms and legs

Other symptoms may include burning, clumsiness, pain, fatigue, difficulty swallowing, and double vision. 

Causes of CIDP

Anyone can get CIDP, but people in their 50s and 60s are more likely to develop it. Men are also twice as likely as women to get this autoimmune disorder. Experts haven’t identified why people get CIDP, but what is known is that it is caused by inflammation of the nerves and nerve roots.

When someone has CIDP, their body’s immune system attacks the myelin sheaths, which are the protective covering around nerve cells. This can damage nerve fibres and impair the nerves’ ability to send signals.

Diagnosis of CIDP

CIDP is a rare disorder, which means it can be difficult to diagnose. There’s no test available that diagnosis CIDP, so doctors typically ask patients questions about their symptoms and conduct a thorough physical examination. Doctors may also do blood and urine tests, a nerve conduction study or a lumbar puncture, which is a procedure that involves extracting a small sample of your cerebrospinal fluid in an effort to detect elevated levels of specific proteins that are associated with CIDP.

Healthcare providers sometimes confuse symptoms of CIDP with those of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), which is another illness that causes nerve problems. However, unlike GBS, CIDP isn’t brought on by an illness. CIDP also tends to be a longer-term problem.

Treatment of CIDP

Early treatment is extremely important for patients who have CIDP, and it is critical to preventing irreversible damage. The sooner a patient begins treatment, the better their chances are of a full recovery. Common treatments for CIDP include steroids, plasma exchange (plasmapheresis), and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg).

Plasma exchange is used to remove immune system proteins that may be contributing to nerve damage from the blood. This treatment method has proven to be effective in up to 80% of patients.

Intravenous immunoglobulin, which is a plasma product composed of antibodies from donors, is used to mitigate the effects of an individual’s immune response. It is most effective in patients who have had symptoms of CIDP for less than a year and/or present acute symptoms of the disorder. IVIg is often used in combination with steroid treatments.

CIDP is a disorder that exemplifies just how life-changing plasma products can be. With early intervention, patients can lead relatively normal lives and avoid permanent physical impairments. If you’d like to help create therapies for patients in need, book an appointment at Canadian Plasma Resources today! Every donation helps.

Blog

juillet 24, 2020

Compensating donors is a practice we’ve been long-time proponents of at Canadian Plasma Resources. Not only do paid plasma donations help us show our appreciation for the time and effort our donors put into helping others; they have also been proven time and time again to be the only way to ensure a secure supply of plasma.

The importance of paid plasma donations for donors and patients alike cannot be overstated, which is why we’re always looking for ways to optimize our compensation plan. Without further ado, here are 3 benefits of our brand new Super Hero Rewards loyalty program that launched on July 6, 2020!

1. Ongoing Payments

With our new Super Hero Rewards loyalty program, there are three levels donors can achieve:

  • Orange level: All donors who give plasma at Canadian Plasma Resources start at this level. They will receive $30 for their first donation of the week and $50 for their second donation of the week.
  • Silver level: Donors who give plasma twice per week for two consecutive weeks will reach Silver level. They will receive $30 for their first donation of the week and $55 for their second donation of the week.
  • Gold level: Donors who give plasma twice per week for two more consecutive weeks, following the initial two consecutive weeks, will reach Gold level. These two weeks of consecutive donations do not have to occur back to back. Gold level donors will receive $30 for their first donation of the week and $60 for their second donation of the week. 

Instead of donors receiving their additional compensation in a lump sum payment, the additional compensation Silver and Gold level donors earn will be paid following their plasma donations over the course of the year. With this program, you’ll be able to spend the additional compensation you earn sooner rather than later!

2. Opportunities to Earn More

CPR’s current Super Hero Rewards loyalty program gives donors the opportunity to earn more bonuses much sooner! Donors no longer have to wait for their 25th donation to start earning $4 bonuses and their 50th donation to start earning $5 bonuses, as was the case with our previous program. Now donors can earn $5 bonuses after giving plasma twice per week for two consecutive weeks and $10 bonuses if they give plasma twice per week for two more consecutive weeks. This means that donors can start earning up to $85/week after four consecutive donations and up to $90/week after eight consecutive donations (if they choose to do their two consecutive weeks of two donations per week back to back).

3. Promoting More Plasma Donations

Last but certainly not least, our new program is designed to promote more plasma donations. For donors to maintain their Silver or Gold status, they must donate plasma at least once per calendar week. If a donation is missed in a given week, donors will return back to the Orange level. For donors to earn their additional $5 or $10 bonuses after attaining Silver or Gold status, they must give plasma twice per calendar week.

With this plan, we hope to encourage donors to give plasma as much as they possibly can. At the end of the day, more plasma donations lead to the creation of more life-saving therapies for chronically ill patients.

To learn more about our new Super Hero Rewards loyalty program, visit the Compensation page on the Canadian Plasma Resource’s website. To start earning your bonuses as soon as possible, book your next appointment today!